The National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska launched its strategic deterrence internship last week, welcoming nine undergraduate and graduate students, including three ROTC cadets, into its headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska.
Representing the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, University of Nebraska at Omaha, George Washington University, University of South Carolina, Coastal Carolina and University of Wisconsin-Madison, the students are driving projects forward to support U.S. Strategic Command, which sponsors NSRI as a DOD-designated University Affiliated Research Center.
"We are energized each summer when we have the honor of welcoming high-caliber students into our institute to deliver research to USSTRATCOM," said Maj. Gen., USAF (Ret.) Rick Evans, NSRI executive director. "I look forward to interacting with them, hearing their insights and providing them several opportunities to brief NSRI, DOD and USSTRATCOM leadership. This experience is always a growth opportunity for the students but also for our team and for our mission area."
NSRI's internship provides students with an opportunity to use their problem-solving skills to contribute to the real-world challenges within USSTRATCOM’s No. 1 mission — strategic deterrence. Given the critical issue of workforce development within the DOD, NSRI also seeks to establish long-term mentoring relationships with students to eventually assist them in obtaining key positions to support U.S. national security.
2023 NSRI Strategic Deterrence Interns
Ethan Czapla
Senior
Political Science & History
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Jared Dingman
Senior
Psychology & Economics
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Robert Garcia
Senior
Computer Engineering
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Calin Kachek
Graduate Student
Computer Science
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Keegan Leary
Junior
Political Science
Army ROTC
George Washington University
Mason Marlowe
Junior
Intelligence & National Security
Army ROTC
University of South Carolina & Coastal Carolina
Grace Sandretti
Junior
International Studies & Global Security
Army ROTC
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Max Sievenpiper
Sophomore
Supply Chain Management & Computer Science
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Mason Whitehill
Senior
Cybersecurity
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Throughout the next nine weeks, the interns will work in two cohorts on projects to support the ability of USSTRATCOM to deter two nuclear-capable, near-peer adversaries — Russia and China.
Cohort 1 will work with USSTRATCOM and its partner, the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, to explore technical challenges related to the nuclear deterrence mission by developing structured databases of resources that are repeatedly leveraged against multiple contingency scenarios. They will focus on the use of various database architectures and analytic software, such as Neo4j, to leverage assets assigned to high-impact, low-probability events.
The project will help the interns understand how critical but limited resources that are leveraged against multiple contingencies can impact the ability to execute other plans once some resources have been used.
"I hope to gain more experience with databases and working in the professional work setting but especially in a DOD setting or government space," said Mason Whitehill, senior in cybersecurity at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. "I’m interested in exploring if national security is a career path for me."
Cohort 2 will focus on scenario research within the context of an invasion of Taiwan by the People’s Liberation Army. They will examine how a conflict might unfold, how the U.S. and its allies might respond and how American forces and allied forces would address the use of nuclear weapons by China. They will also conduct social science research focused on China, Taiwan and regional allies to understand scenario design and futuring.
"I’m surprised at the lack of general knowledge and understanding around nuclear weapons and deterrence," said Ethan Czapla, senior political science and history major at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. "I’ve taken multiple courses around these issues, and there are a lot of things I don’t know, and I think there are a lot of new dilemmas that are going to come. It's an interesting field to be in at this time. I've begun to see myself more and more working in a national security field, so NSRI is a great opportunity to leap into this field."
NSRI launched the joint aspect of the internship experience in 2020 to bring military, government and academia purposefully together in a problem-solving experience. The cadets and their NU counterparts learn to recognize the unique value each perspective brings.
"I’m interested in working in the strategic thinking of international and global politics, so this internship was the perfect combination of all of my interests," said Grace Sandretti, junior international studies and global security major and Army ROTC cadet from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "I’m hoping to gain professional experience from this and a lot of knowledge. This will be a great way to learn more about nuclear deterrence, and working in a professional space isn’t something I’ve had the opportunity to do. I’m excited to bring what I’ve learned in my courses and apply it in a real-world setting."
Learn more about NSRI’s workforce development opportunities at nsri.nebraska.edu/workforce.
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About the National Strategic Research Institute
Through the National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska leading scientists deliver innovative national security research, technology, product and strategy development, training and exercises, and subject matter expertise to the Department of Defense and other federal agencies. One of only 15 DOD-designated University Affiliated Research Centers in the country, NSRI is sponsored by U.S. Strategic Command and works to ensure the United States’ safety and preparedness against increasingly sophisticated threats. Read about our mission.
